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Outdoors: Looks only a mother could love

If an ugly-fish award was given, the black sea bass (rock bass) would definitely be a finalist. They aren’t very pretty.

The charcoal or black fish with tiny white spots and a face so bad it would make a freight train take a dirt road, are often thrown back in the mistaken belief that any fish grotesque enough to make a small child cry couldn't possibly be good to eat. And to add to their ugliness quotient, the males have a big knot on the top of their heads. But on a dinner plate they are the best. Many consider black sea bass (not to be confused with Chilean sea bass) one of the finest-tasting fish in the sea.

When the water gets cold the black sea bass action gets hot. It’s the main activity on the inshore reefs in this area during the coldest part of the winter. Like now.

Black sea bass in this area run small. The average fish is just barely legal. And although the Florida record is a little over 5 pounds, a fish today weighing more than a pound is not very common. A 3-pounder gets your name in the paper. No one really knows where the big fish go, unless increased fishing pressure is just thinning them out.

Even with regulations (10-inch minimum, 100 pounds per day in the Gulf, 13-inch and five fish limit in the Atlantic) and restrictions on fish traps designed to increase the population, there aren’t many big ones here, compared to the East Coast. So small is the average black sea bass caught in the Gulf that many anglers don’t bother filleting and skinning the barely legal ones, opting instead to throw them back. But there are enough bigger fish taken so that anglers who know what they’re doing actually target them.

It seems like black sea bass are always hungry. The result is that many anglers using heavy tackle to bottom-fish for grouper frequently hook a sea bass, reel it up with barely a tug on the line, and consider the fish not much of a fighter. That’s just wrong. The sea bass is quite a scrapper on light tackle. And while they don’t make long, powerful runs, you definitely know you have a fish on. A good choice would be a 12-pound test line on a medium-heavy rod.

One of the most successful black sea bass fishermen is Otto Hough. He says the secret to catching sea bass is to use small baits or artificial lures and then drift, anchor or troll slowly over rock piles, channels with hard bottoms, and reefs. You’ll soon connect if any sea bass are around.

Hough said to fish with a small white 1-ounce jig and a chunk of baitfish, live shrimp, pieces of fresh (never frozen) shrimp, Gulp! tails, a 5 or 6 inch Saltwater Assassin jerk shad in the glow and chartreuse pattern, or even a small baitfish hooked through the nose. Bounce the jig along the bottom and be ready to strike. A super-braid line and freshly-sharpened hook will enable you to feel even the slightest bite and increase your chances of a hook-up when using this technique.

Black sea bass are the perfect fish for kids. Next time you're stuck babysitting, load up the boat and take the little darlin's out for an afternoon of bonding, catching lots of fish, and good times. And then eat them.

FWC approves new freshwater bass conservation measures

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved sweeping changes to streamline bass regulations and increase effectiveness. Commissioners meeting at the Florida Institute of Public Safety near Tallahassee approved implementation of new black bass conservation measures, which will go into effect July 1.

Anglers will be allowed to keep smaller, more abundant largemouth bass. Length limits for black bass species will be changed and many specific rules for different water bodies will be eliminated.

“The intent is to simplify existing rules and increase abundance of larger bass statewide,” said Tom Champeau, director of the Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management.

Black bass are the most popular group of sport fish in North America. In Florida, they include largemouth bass and more specifically the genetically unique Florida bass that is renowned for its trophy potential. Other black bass species in Florida include Suwannee, shoal, spotted and Choctaw basses that thrive in the northwest areas of the state, primarily in rivers.

Black bass regulations have evolved over the past century as scientists learn more about the species, their habitat requirements, population dynamics and angling impacts. The FWC has been a leader in determining better ways to manage harvest not only with hands-on experimentation but also by monitoring successes and failures of bass regulations in Florida and other states and evaluating the results. Integrating social science with biological research allows the FWC to develop measures that are justified biologically while accommodating angler opinions, attitudes and behaviors.

After July 1, the new rule will eliminate the three zones that currently regulate bass harvest along with 42 site-specific regulations for largemouth bass. This simplification has been a long-standing desire of anglers and resource managers.

Anglers may still keep up to five black bass (all species combined) of any size, but only one bass 16 inches or longer in total length may be kept per angler per day. For Suwannee, shoal, Choctaw and spotted basses, the current 12-inch minimum size limit remains in effect, but there will be no minimum length limit on largemouth bass. In addition, the proposed changes include a catch-and-release-only zone for shoal bass in the Chipola River.

Anglers are practicing voluntary catch-and-release at record levels. While reduced harvest of large bass is beneficial, allowing more bass under 16 inches to be kept may improve some fisheries by reducing competition so other individuals grow faster and larger.

The existing bass tournament permit program will continue to allow anglers participating in permitted tournaments temporary possession of five bass of any size. This successful program has been in place for over 20 years and allows delayed-release bass tournaments to remain viable, but requires proper care, handling and release of all bass caught during the tournament (even those that could otherwise be legally harvested).

Meanwhile, the FWC’s TrophyCatch program (www.TrophyCatchFlorida.com) continues to reward anglers for registering, documenting and releasing bass heavier than 8 pounds. This incentive-driven, citizen-science initiative further ensures recycling of the trophy bass that anglers from all over the world come to Florida hoping to catch.

The FWC will advertise details of the changes in the new regulation summary (July 1, 2016-June 30, 2017), on-line, via FWC apps, on signs at boat ramps and fish management area kiosks, and at local bait-and-tackle stores. The FWC will monitor the results, but anticipates the simplification will make it easier for anglers, while resulting in more bass longer than 16 inches being caught and released routinely by anglers in the future.

Flats Fishing Seminar

There are still seats available for the Flats Fishing Seminar conducted by Capt. Randy Peart at Jerry's Bait and Tackle in Crawfordville. Feb. 24 at 6:30 p.m. $25 dollars. Call Jerry's at (850) 421-3248.

Fishing Report

Saltwater

St. George Island

Captain Russ Knapp at Journeys on St. George Island (info@sgislandjourneys.com 850 927 3259) said Captain Paul Polous reported good numbers of sheepshead and trout around the old St. George Island bridge and causeway. Polous suggests using live shrimp for the best results. "Captain Paul also reports the (Bob Sykes) Cut has been off and on with the tide. The best bite is on the last of the incoming tide. Live shrimp, fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs should get you dinner." Offshore, Knapp said Captain Clint Taylor has been catching Amberjack while fishing over the wrecks. He suggests live bait worked half way down in the water column. And as always, bring a chum to bring mangrove snapper up away from the red snapper (season is closed).

Apalachee Bay

Otto Hough at Myhometownfishing.com (otto@myhometownfishing.com) said: "With the warming trend, coupled with lots of sunshine, the trout have been roaming out to the darker-bottom mud flats and bars at the creek mouths as the shallow waters warm dramatically by mid-afternoon." Hough said with pre-sunrise negative low tides on the front side of the full moon this coming Monday, there will be a lot of incoming tidal flow during the long rising tide into early afternoon. "Then, a nice long falling tide past sunset. Plus, if the current NWS Marine Forecast holds true throughout the weekend, fish ought to be really active, along with being in a downright predatory feeding mood. The current forecast is calling for seas 2 feet or less. Cool nighttime temps will still have the fish laying up in the semi-warmth of the deeper river and creek holes to start the mornings, but as the sun gets high in the sky during that rising tide the fish should be roaming the warmer skinny waters."

According to Hough, "trout definitely are still hanging out in the Wakulla and St. Marks rivers. The mouth of the Pinhook River and some of the flats at the mouth of the Aucilla have been giving up some fine trout, as well as reds. The upper portion of Sulfur Bay also has been producing. There is still a whole lot of freshwater coming out of the Aucilla, so actual in-the-upper-river catching has slowed when compared to normal-water-level fishing this time of year. Over towards Grey Mare (rock), especially on the mud/sand flats on the north side near the creek mouths, the trout have been feeding as the daytime water temps elevate a smidgen. Inside the mouth of the East River, around the cuts between the oyster bars, has been home to a good number of trout laying in ambush mode as the day warms. Lots of keeper reds are the reward kayakers are finding fishing out of Wakulla Beach, both east towards Graves Creek and west towards West Goose Creek. Live shrimp on a jig head has been the best offering in the creek holes for the kayakers."

If fishing early, Hough said: "live shrimp in the deeper holes ought to do the trick. Then, as the sun gets on up in the sky, get the stick-bait offerings, like the Redfin and Mirrolure Catch 2000s working. These plugs have been doing the trick enticing trout strikes in the skinny waters. During this time of year, work those plugs a tad slower during the retrieve as the fish aren't quite as frisky or as aggressive as they will become in another four or five weeks. Soft baits like the Saltwater Assassin, Z-Man and Gulp! jerk shad in the electric chicken or glow/chartreuse color schemes are drawing attention over the same warm skinny waters."

According to Hough, this should be a good-weather weekend for chasing some rock bass (black sea bass) outside of the St. Marks buoy line a mile or so. "Both the rock bass and flounder, along with some fine sheepshead, are hanging in the shallow-water rock piles in good numbers. It hasn't been taking too long to jig up a nice mess of the tasty rock bass. Tipping a 1-ounce bucktail jig with a 3-inch Gulp! shrimp in the glow/chartreuse pattern has been working well. Given the weekend conditions, along with strong tidal flows, the late morning to mid-afternoon bite should be good. Remember," said Hough, "the negative lows this weekend will make for a tough launch at the St. Marks Lighthouse boat basin. Judge the start times of any fishing excursion from that launch point accordingly to make certain there is enough water to get out to the Gulf. With the new ramp at Aucilla, the wintertime lows are nowhere near the challenge presented a year ago. Launching at the Mandalay ramp has become a dream come true. Launching from the St. Marks fort ramp will be easy as well."

Captain Dave Lear of Tallahassee says it’s looking like the stars will align this weekend with a combination of warm, sunny weather, strong tides and light winds. "The trick to finding fish will be finding clean water. There is still a lot of run-off and that’s creating some nasty areas in the bay. The water is dirty and murkier around the mouth of the St. Marks River, but it clears up as you head east. Deep Creek is blackish red from the refuge outflow and barren. Fish are holding in spots where the salinity and visibility are good though. The water temperatures are slowly rising, topping the 60-degree mark mid-week. It should continue to climb with the warming trend."

Said Lear: "There are still some flounder holding in deeper holes in the tidal creeks. An incoming tide has been the best window, and they are inhaling DOA 1/2-ounce shrimp sweeping along with the current. Trout are scattered, but still receptive to slow-sinking twitch baits like the Unfair Lures Rip-n-Slash and Paul Brown Fat Boys. Gold patterns are working well with the tannin-stained water."

Redfish of mixed sizes are congregating along the shorelines with mixed bottom or places with dark mud to soak up the heat. Capt. Mike’s or Aqua Dream weedless gold spoons retrieved slowly just along the bottom will trigger strikes. Lear finished by saying inshore rock piles are holding big sheepshead. "A live fiddler crab or shrimp will entice them, or try a DOA standard shrimp juiced with some Pro-Cure shrimp bait gel. With the expected favorable conditions the near-shore reefs and natural structure will also be good places to try for black sea bass, sheepshead and larger flounder. Don’t be surprised to find crowded boat ramps this weekend, as early spring fever sets in."

Ochlocknee River

Captain Randy Peart in Tallahassee (850 421-8049 captpeart@yahoo.com) said: "Still some nice reds and sheepshead being caught in the lower Ochlocknee River on live shrimp. Also a few stripers or sunshine bass, and some catfish. Some friends of mine are catching nice trout and reds at Spring Warrior, but not as big as in years past. They are using MirrOlure MirrOdines."

Steinhatchee

Richard McDavid at Sea Hag Marina in Steinhatchee (352-498-3008) sent photos of happy anglers with redfish, trout, sheepshead and flounder. A tournament over the weekend resulted in excellent catches for just about all participants. Not only were the fish cooperative, but the weather was decent.

Freshwater

Lake Jackson

Captain Cliff “JR” Mundinger, Jr. of Lake Talquin Trophy Guide Service (talquinguide@yahoo.comwww.fishtallahassee.com said: "Bass are beginning to move shallow on Lake Jackson. Won't be long now. Several more days of warm sunshine and you'll be able to walk across bedding bass on the banks. Topwater frogs and buzz baits are catching some nice ones right now. Crowder area is heating up. Spend some time looking around the grass in there for groups of bigger bass."

Lake Iamonia

Captain Randy Peart in Tallahassee (850 421-8049 captpeart@yahoo.com) said the black crappie (speckled perch) action has been good. Best catches have been made by anglers trolling 1/8-ounce Hal Flies in yellow or chartreuse and tipped with a minnow.